SOME 65 children and their families from the 13 towns in Benguet province were chosen as recipients of the assistance initiated by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap).

The federation of local officials’ associations launched its project “Munting Anghel ng Ulap” in Benguet, with the aim of assisting indigent families and their children by enrolling them in livelihood programs and providing them with their health and education needs.

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Ulap president and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the assistance given to the beneficiaries of the project is sponsored by various agencies, including the private sector.

He said the project is also a complement to the government’s poverty alleviation program.

The Munting Anghel project selects five children in every town, who will receive school supplies, like bags, would avail of the basic social services, like nutrition and health, for free.

The beneficiary child would also receive a P30 daily allowance.

Abalos said the project is not a dole-out program since the beneficiaries, including the local government units are also required to provide their counterparts to ensure the sustainability of the program.

Families of the beneficiary child would be given livelihood packages and would be monitored to ensure these are being maintained.

“The parents will be enrolled in skills training and will be provided with livelihood packages to ensure they can sustain what we have started with their child,” Abalos said.

Abalos said Benguet was chosen as the launching site for the Ulap project because the Provincial Government was very cooperative.

Governor Nestor Fongwan expressed the province’s gratitude for being the first beneficiary of the Ulap program.

Ulap will move down to the Visayas and Mindanao areas to also launch the program.

Mayor Abalos said even with the change in the leadership of the organization, the program will still be pursued.